(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK) The week ahead is set to be a busy one as blue-chips race to get their results out before people head off on holiday.
The first of the big companies reports on Tuesday when BP PLC (LON:BP.) issues a trading statement.
Investors will be hoping BP will update on efforts to cut costs and streamline its organisation to deal with lower oil prices.
It paved the way for that by drawing a line under legal claims for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster, estimating the total bill at about US$61bn.
Also issuing a trading statement on Tuesday is accountancy software firm Sage PLC (LON:SAGE) , which is likely to face questions about M & A following the 24.3bn SoftBank buyout of chip-maker ARM Holdings PLC (LON:ARM).
Talking of which, ARM itself is unveiling interim results on Wednesday, along with a cluster of other big players including ITV PLC (LON:ITV), drug group GlaxoSmithKline PLC (LON:GSK), house-builder Taylor Wimpey PLC (LON:TW.) and oil explorer Tullow Oil plc (LON:TLW).
You could be forgiven for thinking the world and his dog are reporting on Thursday as a horde of blue-chips line up with results and updates.
Sky plc (LON:SKY) is tipped to reveal profits of 1.35bn when the satellite broadcaster reports finals.
Investors may be interested to know what Sky thinks of recent rumours that shareholder Rupert Murdoch could cash in on the lower pound to buy the shares in the company that he does not already own.
Numis Securities said: 'While we view the post-'Brexit' moves in mid and large-cap media as largely understandable, Sky has been harshly treated and offers strong value at current levels.'
Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka maker Diageo also is due to publish finals.
Investors are likely to seek the company's view on the outlook for Scottish whisky exports after the UK referendum to leave the EU and whether Diageo thinks Scotland leaving the UK might help.
Chris Wickham at Whitman Howard said: 'We expect Diageo ('Hold', target price 2250p) to report full-year revenue pretty much unchanged on last year at 10.8bn with pre-tax earnings before interest also flat-lining at 3.1bn.
'Earnings per share (diluted adjusted) are expected to be 89.4p versus 88.4p last year.
'Spirit volumes continue to be constrained but in Africa beer where Diageo generates 10% of profits - beer volumes are punchy.'
Reckitt Benckiser bosses may face questions about rumours of a takeover bid for Ireland's Perrigo when the Nurofen and Durex condom maker reports interims on Friday.
Whitman Howard's Wickham, who has a 'buy' and a 9000p target price on the stock, said: 'RB generates around 90% of profits internationally.
"The analyst-polled consensus, with which we concur, is for a 4.9% Q2 sales growth rate and 1bn of H1 operating profit (22.7% margin). EPS is expected to be 108.9p compared with last year's 99p.'
Other companies set to report include:
Monday July 25
Trading Statement: Abcam; Aberdeen Asset Management; Cranswick; Petra Diamonds.
Interims: Hammerson; Hiscox; XP Power.
AGM: Helical Bar; National Grid.
Tuesday July 26
Finals: PZ Cussons
Interims: Capital & Counties Properties; Croda; Drax; GKN; Huntsworth; Jardine Lloyd Thompson; Man Group; Provident Financial; SEGRO; Tyman; UNITE; Virgin Money.
Trading Statement: BP; Greencore; Sage Group; Victrex.
AGM: Halfords.
Wednesday July 27
Finals: Renishaw.
Interims: Capita; Dignity; Jupiter Fund Management; Lancashire Holdings; McColl's Retail Group; Morgan Advanced Materials; Rathbones; Rightmove; Shawbrook; St James's Place; Tarsus.
Trading statement: Brewin Dolphin; Brooks Macdonald; Marston's.
Operational update: Nostrum Oil & Gas.
Production report: Antofagasta.
AGM: Norcros.
Thursday July 28
Q1: BT Group.
Interims: Anglo American; AstraZeneca; BAE Systems; British American Tobacco; Bodycote; Centrica; Coats Group; Countrywide; Domino's Pizza; Genel Energy; Henderson; Inchcape; Informa; International Personal Finance; Intu Properties; Just Eat; Lloyds Banking Group; Merlin Entertainments; Melrose; National Express; RELX; Rentokil Initial; Robert Walters; Rolls-Royce Holding; Schroders; Smith & Nephew; Spectris; Weir Group.
Trading statement: Compass; Hansard Global; Thomas Cook.
Production report: KAZ Minerals.
AGM: PayPoint.
Friday July 29
Interims: Barclays; Centaur; Essentra; Foxtons; IMI; Indivior; International Consolidated Airlines; Laird; Pearson; Reckitt Benckiser; UBM; Vesuvius.
Trading statement: Paragon.
AGM: Findel; Vodafone.
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